College denies students hall tickets for II PU exams

When other second year Pre-University (PU) students were writing their final exams which commenced on Wednesday, Smitha S. (name changed) was running from pillar to post to know why her hall ticket had not arrived in her college.

A science student of Indo Asian Academy PU College, Kalyan Nagar, Ms. Smitha will not be able to write the biology exam on Thursday without the admission ticket.

Waiting

She is not alone. Another student in her college, studying in the commerce stream, was also kept waiting by the college until two days ago for his admission ticket, only to be told in the end that he will not get it.

Both these cases have a similar background. Both failed the II PU exam two years ago. When they applied for II PU in Indo Asian Academy, they were told that they could be accommodated only if they joined I PU. They obliged.

Almost at the end of their two-year course now, after being allowed to attend the practical exams, the students were told two days before the board exams that their admission tickets are not with the college. Ms. Smitha told The Hindu the college authorities said this was because her name had already been registered with the board. Ms. Smitha has technically spent four years in PU now. “When I asked the college, they said I should return to my old college and try writing the exam from there. The problem, they say, is that I have already registered with the PU board once before.”

Spending money

She has spent Rs. 35,000 on two years of PU in her previous college, and Rs. 61,000 in the present one. In addition, she has over 90 per cent attendance. Ms. Smitha’s family is now demanding compensation — both academic and financial.

No restriction

The college authorities were unavailable for comment despite repeated calls. Officials at the Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE), on the other hand, said there is no such rule that bars students from reappearing for II PU exams.

The official also added that no request or complaint was placed before the board in this connection. However, the DPUE has promised to scrutinise the matter and see what can be done, as a student is allowed at least three attempts to clear PU.